South Sudan rebels say no truce unless allies released

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - South Sudan's rebels indicated on Wednesday that there would be no imminent truce in the country unless the government freed a group of suspected rebels currently being detained.

A rebel spokesman said the 11 detainees, who were arrested in the capital Juba after fighting broke out more than three weeks ago, should be set free so they can take part in the peace talks under way in Ethiopia.

"Our colleagues must be released so that they come and participate," rebel spokesman Yohanis Musa Pauk told reporters in Addis Ababa.

"You cannot go to negotiations while there are some people being detained.